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AWARDS 2011

THE ENGLlSH GARDEN AWARDS

201 1 The Nlchee

Magazine Awards 8 est Niche Lilestyle Consumer Magazine

2010 Garden Media Guild Gardenlng Column

OIThe Year Mark Diacono

2009 Garden Media Guild Gardening Column

OIThe Year Jackie Bennett

Garden Media Guild New Garden M ed la Talen t 01 The Year Stephanie Mahon

2008 Garden Medla Gulld New Writer Award Joe Reardon-Smith

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T l kgd f tt g season . 5ummer may offer us such rewards , but it is now that we can create , add , change and experiment

th our plo. Aumn colour is now creeping into my garden and the seedheads of perennials are dispersing

GNFOR EVERYONE WHO lOVES BEAUTIFUl GARDENS

WWW.TH E ENG Ll SH GARDE N .CO.UK

EDITORLTel: +44 (0)1 242 211 080 Fax: +44 (0)1242 21 1081

Email: theenglishgarden@archant.co.uk W ebsite: www.theenglishgardon.cok

Editor T3msin Westhorpo Deputy Editor Clnead McTernan

A Editor Frances Wallace Productlon Ed ltor/Wrlter Stephanie Mahon

Edtoral Assistant Victoria Kingsbury Gardens Edltor Claire M asset Desig ne Karen le Gallez, Claire Hicks

lJK ADVERTlSrt\G Tel : +44 (0)1242 211072 Fax : +44 (0)1242 255116

Emai l : klm.holtham@archant.co.uk GroupCommeial Di rector Chros Marslon

Group Communlcations Manager Lucy Warren.Meeks Group 5ales Manager Jamie Bo lton

A c

Contents NOVEMBER 10 The Rake Our columnist James Alexander-Sinclair picks his

lavourite courses, exhibitions and events lor November 14 Shopping.. . for focal points Key pieces lor great impact 18 National Trust Time to plant and pne at Kingston Lacy 24 Editor's choice: Tape measures Tamsin calculates the

merits 01 these garden design essentials 54 Toby's Nursery As he gets ready to open up lor business,

Toby commissions his logo and sells plants at a local lestival 93 Ecowatch Anne Gatli considers lhe best trees for wildli fe 106 Library leaves This month's new gardening books reviewed 114 Guest speaker $ue Biggs on being RHS director general

Glorious gardens 27 Ll1'\:\1BU I{G The love of Piet This Irosty garden is

gradWlth delite seedheads and gracelul grasses 34 S'TLND Going global Thousands of rare perennials and

grasses create an autumn spectacle '" this p1anthunter's plot 41 NORTHL \18RLA Sylvan sanctuary We lebrate

the beguil,ng beauty 01 trees W1th a \11M to Howick Hall 47 L \IHRIA Nostalgia Up north At the start 01 rose-pnting

season, we II1sit one 01 the).mtry's most romantic rose gardens

Design 61 IN (_''ERSATI7 WITH... Tom Stuart-Smith looks

at how to revive mature gardens that have existing elements 63 A GARDEN REBRN The Iceman cometh Winter

arrives early at Bridge Eal, blanketing the garden in a layer 01 snow 69 H ISTORI(' FEATtJRES Surprise, surprise After its 18th-

century heyday, is the ha-ha relevant in contemprary gardens?

The edible garden Offers & competitions 71 Mark Diacono Mark vours the last of this ye's harvest and 17 Subscriptions FREE Burgon & Ball Professional Soft Squeeze

looks forward to the year ahead. picking seeds and trees for his plot Shears, worth (25.95, when you subscribe 72 COOK YOUR OWN Pears Expert advice on buying, planting, 23 Christmas gifts For great deals on magazine subscript ions

protecting. training and cooking the most delectable pears 85 Plant offers Add sparkle to your garden w ith a FREE' scented 76 BA TS & TREATS Backdoor bounty Restored Victorian winter-flowering shrub - pls great 0ers on other winter shrubs

kitchen gardens provide a country house hotel with delicious prodce

Plants 9 Plant swatch Indoor flowerers to really brighten up the home 79 PLANT FOCUS Berberis This reliable plant deserves more

attention than it gets - particularly its nore dazzling varieties 86 Woods with the goods Our pick of the count's best

arboretums in autumn, with glorios trails and beautiful trees 95 Sow and sew Two arts are combined at this lovely cutting

garden wi th an embroidery workshop business in Scotland 100 Wonders of Wisley Autumn delights at this iconic garden,

and the chance to w in a year's membership of the RHS

6 (1\1(01. .\II~".

UII"'E...,

charnwood Exceptional British made wood burning stoes. Permitted for use in smoke contro/ areas. For a brochllre and stockists teiephone 01983 537780 0 1' visit www.charnwood.com

PLANT SWATCH FLOWERING HOUSE PLA N TS

A~thu~un'Mikra' The unusual pink 01 Ihis Ilamingo Ilower (aboe

righ~ sels il apa Irom the almOSI garish red blooms of ils relalives. Wilh ilS highly glsy and archrteclural arrow-shaped leaves. il looks labulous nexl to Ihe IrOlhy delicale 10liage 01 an

IndrsIwart. the maidenhair lern. It doesn'l need a 10101 'r.t rm so go lor a pot Ihat is a fairly snug ~t He.ght 60cm spread 3Ocm. CUlTIVATlON AtroplCnt that grows tree-trunks in Ihe W1ld, It prefers a medium 01 brs Ioam, sand,

af mould and char.lIVthsgnum ITssarour theown . It enjovs high humidity, bright oght and a constanl temperature abo 16"C. ln

growth. water freely and lertilise every IWO weeks Propagation IS easiest by division.

THE FNGlISH GARDEN 9

Ph.laenopsis Brother J ohn'

e seductive Ilowers 01 the moth orchid (to. righll appear in sprays year-round, last lng lor aboUl three months each. Its leaves are thick and Ileshy, with delitely arching flower Slems Thanks to its tropical origins, it enjoys the warmth 01 central heating, nnaking .t a popular choice, and is one of the easiest orch.ds to grow. Height 1 5ct1m; spread 20-45cm

CUlVATlONEnjoyir a sun!Ty spot in w.nter and a shaded one in the summer, it growsst in dayt.me temperatures 01 19-30oC and 1 & 19"C at nht

Growinor.id mpost. watenngIy spanngly in winter, and more Ireely spnng to autmn. Propagate by pouing up the snnall plantlets that appear on the flower stem

Hippeast'um Apple Blossom' Also known as amaryll. the impressive blooms of this bulb (abo are sure to brighten up the windowsill in winter or ke an elegant centrepiece for a table. Its lily-shaped flowers reach 15cm in dmeter. and are tinged a dellcate plnk. It has short strap-shaped green leaves, and a stout stem holding several heads hlgh. Helght 5Ocm: spread 30cm

clTlVATlON Planted IlVth the neck and shoulders above the surface, this bulb should be kepl in a dark ce

andwatered Iy sringly unU shtsemerge Once growing, il willlhrive .n full sun and enJOV liberal walenng and a fortnighlly feed Once Ilowers have I,nished, redce w81er, keeping il dry when dormanl. Propagate Irom seed

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events & News In his regular column, James Alexander-Sinclair rakes up the latest happenings in the garde ning world, and shares his favourite places to v isit

This month, autumn has us held firmly between its shiny teeth. So this seems like the peect moment to start thinking of suitable garden activities that can be enjoyed with the benefit of central heating and without rain trickling down the back of the neck. Not exclusively, mind you - 1 would not like you losing condition and becoming soft. Besides, a cup of tea earned after a few hours labouring in the cold is a cup of tea that tastes better than the finest champagne. Almost

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green wall, and we not only gave it a Gold Medal but a speClal award for Most Creawe Garden. Time was when heathers were a: over the .t lashion is fockle and they slipped from lPularity. so perhaps it is time lor a resurgence In the popular'ty 01 this reliae p1ant? Most are evergreenarrv Ilower in the oepths 01 winter, and

youn sleep on them w ,thout caUSlOg much damage. Jo,n The Heather 50ety (,t accepts members Irnaover the world) and rece've yearb bulletins and a 'ree advlce selVlce , www heathersociety org

Wothy nesThe Best 5mall Garden Award at the Hampton Court Ffower 5how this year was presented to William Ouarmby and the British Heather Growers Associatlon,

10heir garden 'Heathers in Harmony' (above) 1 was Judg,ng this categy and 1 must admit that when 1 Wthe IItle, my heart sank, becase 1 was expect,ng something a bit old lashioned. This was based on my

preludicassaton 01 heathers with brown m 1970s SWlrIy patternins 1 was so wrg.ltwas a modern garden, with heathers used as a wonderful

U J. Thc shoruns from

21 .27 0:l)\' . Trl. +H (0)207 2878408 \\\\\\'.lIeincorkslreel.COm

OUT&ABOUT al Waddesdon Manor with a shopping district between Bath Sunday 27, leicestershire IN NOVEMBER special Nine lover's dinner. The Abbey and lhe Roman Baths Slart the leslive season with Wednesday 2, Gloucestershire evening begins with a glass 01 Huge seleclion 01 stalls selling a Christmas wreath workshop Learn how to make classic 'Baron de Rothschild' champagne umque 9 decorations and 10 withttor Sue Jarvis at Barnsdale seasonal French dishes at Thyme and seasonal canap Iollowedby www.bathchristmasmarket co,uk Gardens, ( 25, Booking is essential al SOUlhrop, The day-course costs an introdUClion 10 wine by Peter Tel: +44 (0)1 572 (185, To bokyur place, Isl: +44 Tompkins, Tickels cost (95 813200 or email (0)1367850174, Tel: +44 (0)1296 653226 courses@barnsdale

gardens,co, uk Saturday 5, Derbyshire Wednesday 23 . Sunday 27, Join Chalsworth Hose ror a Birmingham BBC Good Food . AII month speclacular lireworks display, Show Winler al the NEC with 10P 1, alon9 with Gold bonlire and live entertalnment. For celebrity chels including Rick Stein, MedalInOlnglickets, lel +44 (0)1246 565430 Great British Bake 011 sessions, designers, writers, www.chatsworth.org Worfd Cheese Awards, speciality phOlographers and

prurs and greal shopping other 9rden l oIk Wednesday 9 Sunday 13, Ticket prices start Irom (20.50 wil' be attempting to l ondon TheCntry Livlng and VlP packages are aible growa mstadChriSlmaS Fair at The Buslness www fshowm Friday 25, Surrey The B aid 01 'Movember', which raises Design Centre. For tickets Slt Tree Switch On takes place 8t moneyto mbal prostate and WWWun~lV.ngfalr m Thursday 24 November WakehurSI ce at 6 1 tesloCUlar cancer. AlI support and

Sunday 11 December, Bath Cho.r and cralt actes AdmlSSlon sponrs very welme. Search Saturday 12, Bucklnghamshlre The Bath Chrislmas Markel (rightl, is by donation For mO

Thc Classic "Tcn" Thc Roscmoor

Gabriel Ash sllperior g reenhollses are made in che UK by mascer crafcsmen. Prodllced lIsing only the fnest \Vestern Red Cedar, we enSllre every detai l functions exactly ic should .

Avlable in a range of sizes and scyles CO sll ic any gardcn and endorsed by che RHS, a Gabriel Ash g reenhouse will remain a ching of beauty for years co come

The Wisley

[ shoOWlhMm1i1ument F arm , F arndon , hester H3 6 _ 1 [ i~T 0800 0851 652

Greenhouses Patio Glasshouses I Coldframes I Shed Combi I Planthouses I Staging

SHOPPING FOCAL POINTS

14 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

~ ~

OPPOSE PAGE Roman garden arch, avallable in ree dfferent wdth and heght optlons, as well ase cholce to nstall below or above ground Prces start from E206. Tel: 0845 4025300. www.harrodhortcul1.m 2 Rusty alphabet sign, E30. Tel: +44 (0)1434 634567. www.r.foundobjects m3 Belmont luminar water feature speclally handcrafted in rainbow-loured natural sandne. Available in small (3Ocm diameter), E379; and medium

(40cmdiamer) E499. Tel: +44 (0)1732 832299. www.lngarden.co.uk 4 Star candle holder, E26. Tel: 0844 8580734. www.coxandcox .uk 5 Handmade sllver wlre robln, E10 each. Tel: +44 (0)1434 634567. www.re-foundobjec com 6 Oak leaf ctir produced ftom wrought Iron and oak. Made to order Tel: +44 (0)1270 5222n. w.davldfreedmansculpture.co.uk 7 Rusted Iron hexagonal gazebo from E2,555; roof liner from E870; clematls obelisk from E255. Tel: +44 (0)1730 816881. www.roominthegarden.com 8 Citronella candles in terracotta p E8.5Or a pack of 12. Tel: 0844 8580734.

WWW.xandcox.uk

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 15

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Subscribe by Direct Debit for just f31.99, saving 330/0, and receive a Burgon & Ball Professional Soft Squeeze Shears Alternatively, you can subscribe for f35.99 by credit/debit card, saving 25% on the cover prlce. These unique single-handed shears give optimum cutting control for plant shaping and topiary. Made out of Sheffield steel with precision heat treatme the shears accommodate razor-sharp blades, meaning soft material is left with no ragged edges .1e double-bow handle paerngives an extra-soft squeeze motion, and the angled blades help form precise curves and straight lines.

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NOVEMBER NATIONAL TRUST

FANTASY FORMAL Kingston Lacy in Dorset is a vast estate w ith a variety of interesting gardens and landscapes. This month. Head Gardener Andrew Hunt gets to work on the last autumn tasks before w inter arrives PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM

K W may notbeaffl10Wplace. but it is beautiful nonetheless

The original 17th-century mansion

was remodelled by Sir Charles Barry in

1835. and looks like a giant dolls' hose.lts

Italiana te terrace gives on to a grea t sweep 01

impeccable lawn. an immaculate gravel walk.

elegant avenues 01 trees and lormal gardens

Adorning the space are superb architectural

ornaments assembled bya previous owner.

William John Bankes. including many stone

urns. bronze lions and tortoises. Venetian

FACT FILE PLACE Kingston Lacy is located 1.5 miles west of W imborne in Dorset SIZE 8.500 acres of estate. including 32 acres 01 lormal gardens, p lus six acres 01 kitchen garden SOIL Sand. clay and chalk ASPECT South lacing and open SPECIALlSMS Victorian lerne'. restored Japanese garden. superb architectural

rnaments. grand landscape with ancient trees, Edrdian paerre and lime avenue

wellheads and, larther on, a soaring Egyptian

obelisk. The parkland is doned with oaks,

beeches and other majestic trees, and Red Devon canle are free to graze, creating a

wonderfully pastoral scene. Other highligh ts

include a restored Victorian l ernery. a large

Japanese garden, a secretive Blind Walk . so

called because it is hidden Irom view behind

evergreens . and a Sunk Garden with formal

beds. The Edwardian Parterre was lald out

in 1899 l or Henrietta, Walter Bankes' new

WI and is still p lanted every year w ith

seasonal bedding plants.

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WHAT'S IN SEASON In autumn, the glorious foliage 01 Berberisx 0'awensis f. purpurea 'Superba' (far leffJ changes Irom red to orange to yellow. Prized lor its Lily 01 the Valley scent Mahonia x media 'Charity' (centre) IlersIrom November to Mar making a focal point in the w inter garden. The lerleaved

bee Fagus SVI''8tica var. hererophvlla spleniilolia' Uef, has unusual. deeply cut 10liage that turns gold in autumn .eecan grow to about 15m in height. ..

18 THE ENG LlSH GARDEN

NOVEMBER NATIONAL TRUST

STEPBYSTEP PLANTING A TREE Tree plenting is best done in autumn, when the soil is still relatively warm end the moisre levels are high.

1 0igaimesIhe size 01 the tree's rOOlball. Fork 0rIhe base and sides 01 Ihe hole

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e , spnnkled WiLh snake's head frilillaries and decoraLed wllh purple and red Lulips in spring , hke a medieval Lapeslly.

The garclen has a dream)' Lmeless qualily , the spell enhanced by lh e rea L empLy house lhaL was gll lled by a fi rc in 1926. Th family live in t he wesl wing, while what was once the ballro0111 is now lhe Ear l Grcy Tca House. From lhis elegan t room,

you can look through day plant hunter Lord Charles Howick , who has been on 22 plant expedilions since 1985,

'he arbo1'etlUl1 b a sarp hun'l1 1'0 1' large vindows Ollt onto the garden , where a spading Adantic cedar C'onS('1ng thrcatt>l\('d plani

oflen [0 remOlC regions of the world. Head gardener Roben Jamieson has taken part in sf these.

h was Charles' grndparents the 5th Earl Grey and hls wlfe , who created an informal garden (o contrast wllh lhe grand Georgran hOl. Lnuenced by Wilham Robmson's namral planting yle their love of relaxed planllng was carried on by L.ady Mary , Charles's mother, and now by Charles himseU. Flowmg perenmal borders , Iines of lavcnder and agapanthus and self-seeding alpines soften the teaces that drop below lhe

stands tall above a yew hedge. l! was LO SlIll the warat Howick at a Chinese Mandann (a bureallcral of Imperial China) blended eeponnotea \VJlh bergamot fore 2nd Earl Grey, who was pnme mmlSter m the 1830s

The Tea House fllS m perfeclly vh the elhos al HO\ck 'lC c1ear message we gel from VStors aleveryone appreclalcs lhe lack of commercialism,' says Charles. For lhls IS a lrue planman5 garden, fllll of rare plams, yCl SO anlessly laid Olll lhal it belies lhe sClenufic imponancc of lhe ld collecled perennials

and trees. The arboretu lTI covers 65 ares and comai 11$ TOP LEFT The simplicV of 13 ,000 specimens of 1,800 lax3 , in na lural-looking the massed planting of woodlands lhal represem differnl geographial areas. Narcissus 'Seagull' lends a When Roy LanC3Ster pla11led a Chinese wingnut l ree serenity to Howick Hall. al lhe official opening in 2006. heompared Howick TOP RIGHT Camellias and lO C. S. Le ficLional land of Namia. Going through rhododendrons thrive the stone gateposts a t the entrance is li ke fi nding in the sheltedcalmyourself in a mca l world: he said. of Silverwood. RIGHT

The key to successful establishment is the summer The woodland floor of heat , and shelter proded by the valley of the Ho\V; ck Silod is humus.rich Burn. 'e lost remarkably little last \\.nter' comments and perfect for prlmroses Charles , 'though some big o ld things were brough t and erythroniums dow n by the m ost sno \v weve had since 194 7 .. This has brought new opportunities to Silverwood , a delightfu l area full of scented g lades among rhodoc\endrons and magnolias , staned by Lorc\ Grey in 1930 tO celebrate his silver wedding

The new trees and shrubs

LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM Dte emerging leaves on the Chlnese wingnut, PreroCllrya stenoptera, plantd by Roy Lancaerto celebrate the opening of the arboretum; Euptela plelosperma from seed 1cted In Sichuan, Chna; seed r thls Illclum slmonsi was lIected 900t up on a Chnc

"untan; 11"" fargesi. RIGHA cherry blossoms above 8 flowery mead of tulips sprinkld through meadow grasses.

whlch we re originally deloped in AUSlralta for lhe eucalyplus. whlch are vulnerablLO roolballmg Whe l1 lhe leaves fall o ff lhe nu rSry SLOck , II is lhe Slgnal 10 betn planling

AUlumn pla l1 ling $UilS lhe Howick s ile beSL As Charles expla ins: 'My g randfalher always said lhal if you plant a tree before Christmas. you expect it to Sll rvive; btlt if you plant in spring. you hope it wi ll

survive Locations for new trees are chosen early so that the sites can be sprayed with glyphosate il1 AllgllSt. Horse manure is worked into the bottom of a square ho le. and leaf mould is mixed w ith the backfi l1. '1 don 't like overfeeding: says Charles. as 1 want to avoid soft growth. In Northumberland. slow and gradual is better than f:.

Newtes are thickly mulched th bracken that 15 Cllt from moorland in July d left

GLORIOUS GARDENS NORTHUMBERLAND

The notebook Howick Hall's in formal gardens and 65-acre arboretum occUPY a wooded dene that runs eastwards down to th e Northumb rian coast. A very w ide range o f trees can be grown in t he n eut ra l. medium loam soil

CRACK NG KATSURA Katsura trees. cercidiphyllums, (above), have long been

favurites at Howick. having ften been chosen by l ord Howick's grandfather. 'A love f cercidiphyllums runs in the family: he says. 'Easy to grow, they have beautiful, heart-shaped leaves that turn golden in autumn and give

ff a wonderful scent of strawberry or burnt sugar:

STRANGE BEHAV OUR SWEET SCENT S BIRCH BEAUTY When wild collected trees are Azaleas are well known for Catkins bring delight at one fgrown in England, they often their soent. but rhododendrons the bleakest times of the year. exhibit different characteristics. can also be fragrant. With pink- These lovely pendulous This rare ao Acer caesium. blushed white blooms, the blossoms grow on 8etula (above) has much whiter bark Ahododendron 'Princess Alice' calcicola (above). 'This is a rare in India. Th. Lord Howick (abo'e) is a cross between and difficult little birch to grow: suspects, is because the light A. edgeworthii and A. says Lord Howick, 'which Roy is so much stronger there. Not fragrantissimum. Being a Lancaster collected in the often grown in this country, it hybrid, this plant is rather mountainous Yunnan province is doing well at Howick, and its hardier than its parents. With f China. Its young leaves pale. lightly furrowed bark adds a compact habit and slow are almost silver before they another texture to the garden grrth's ideal in a container slowly turn grey-green

LORD CHARLES HOWICK'S TREE-PLANTING TIPS

CONTACTS RECOMMENDED TREE NURSERIES

Planting snaller trees neans that staking is less necessary, so long as they are put in a sheltered posit ion Shelter is key - so try to avoid planting in an open site. Shrub shelters help w ith

establishnent as they increase summer heat around the plant Make the planting hole square ra ther than round. as it is better for root development. With our good soil, we prefer a hole that is slightly bigger than the size of the pot. On poorer soils, you may need a larger one. Make sure that young t rees have no competition from grass. A thick mulch of bracken helps to keep the weeds and grass down.

Hilliers Nurseries, Ampfield House, Ampfield, Romsey. Hampshire S051 9PA Tel: +44 (0)1794 368733. www.hilliertrees.co.uk Majestic Trees, Chequers Meadow, Chequers Hill. Flamstead, near St. Albans. Hertfordshire Al38ET Tel : +44 (0)1582 843881 www.majestictrees.co.uk Ornamental Tree Nurseries, Cobnash. Kingsland, Herefordshire HR6 90Z. Tel: +44 (0)1568708016. w.ornamental-trees.co.uk Tendercare, Southlands Road, Denham, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB9 4HD. Tel: +44 {0l1895 835544. www. tendercare.co.uk PLACE TO STAY f\lEARBY Esh Hall. Morpeth, Northumber1and NE65 9EN. Tel: +44 (0l1670 787454. www.eshotl.com

T HE ENGlISH GAROEN 45

46 THE ENGlISH GARDEN

catalogue available 01225 85 1577 garden-requisites.co.uk

porches wall trellis

planters

N ostalgia up north Dalemainh one ofthe lest most romantic rose g~dens in e n01111 of Englandeperfect inspiraon and a great way to celebrate e beginning of rose-plan19 season PHOTOGRAPHS AN DREA JONES WORDS CAROLl NE seCK

withV8" .n. peta .nd C'ltmb

WJ T| J /

TOP LEFT ROSII lC odorllt. 'Pallda' scmbl8S up th8 pink sandstone 'acade 0' Dalemain Manslon in Cumbr. TOP RIGHT Dusky pink 'o lCgloves and hostas make a spring dilay beneath e old fnlit tr88S. BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT RoSll UIe Rambl8r 'Iowera continuously and is wonderfully scented;

R. 'Cramoisi Suprir'; R. Rhapdy in Blue is eclostlour available to a bl r088; .onc.fIowering R. 'Tea Rambler'.

nor Engla.nd. Jane and her hllsband Roben look lhe relnS 20 years ago arter Roberfs mOlher Syla herselr a greal planlswoman,

psed away. The wk was dallnnng. '((vas a garden m mOllmmg: says Jane. 'Because SylVla had been 111 for a few years. lhe garden was looking ragged and unkempL We look over

knowmgverlrlLle bUl \V1lh a knowledge lMl Il mUSl relain her love 01' planlS

Jane lhen had a slroke of lllCk , She mel lhe serendipilOllsly na01ed Rose Harper. a lalemed and inSlll1Clivc local a rnalC lIr ardel1er. and

employed her 10 help m lhe gardn. They've worked 10er ever smce vresnng Il back from becommg a sad memonal and makrng sure II mssens10 IISIlOrs

BOlh women wanLed beauly and frdgrance . Thy were also very keen lO respecl ilS long h i$lOry but nOl be hldbOllnd by IL Almosl lhe [l rSI lh ing lhey d ld was lO add more rOses, lraining lhem u p over arches , lhrOllgh lrees and lIP walls , The palhs were wldened $0 IWO peo ple ould walk side by side ralher lhan singly - a lovely LOuch .

::-Iow, from mld-JlIne onwards, Dalemam IS an enchanled place lh more lhan 100 dlrferem vanelles of ross lh chmbers lInderplanted wllh shrub roses, so denseJy planled lhey semble woven rabri Toambledown lhrollgh lhe rose walk tS a dlighl and the essence or an Enghshrden in rnidsummer; e~peclally wonder[lI l arle r a rain shower, when complex scems or lemon, nUlmeg and cinnamon a al lhetr mOSl inLeE

Jane shudders shghlly when she recalls whal she (.h i n lhe early days. 1 came in like a new

TOP LEFT The part8ITe garden wh clipped box ande glasshse in tt background. TOP RIGHT A vlew into the glasshouse with a plumbago climbing up the walls. BELOW, LEFTO RIGHT RO$ll 'Viokttte' is a vigoroos rambler with striking crimson purple bloom the perpetual-flowering R. 'White Pet'; R. -Albertine' is weU-known for i fabulous scent; easv-togrowR. heOueen Elizabeth' will reward you with fIoW8.. from July to September.

broom eager tO make my mark , and made some awrlll mlstakes. For example , 1 nearly gmbbed Ollt an annt apple lree becal I

dldn't cogmse I(S Importance: Two decades on, she reels her slyle 15 less hasly. She hkes to grow thmgs rrom seed and cUlllngs I"'.Ilhlhan Opl ror lhe tn5lanl grallrlcallon o f new planls brOllghl in rrom olllslde.

ThlS melhod or slow galening' comnbllLes lO the Li meless qual ity or Dalemam. Walk lh rollgh lhe rose garden or alons i de lhe

hih wall lhal's cl l'apecl Wilh climbers on lhe

broad terrace , overlookmg the Cumbnan cOllmryslde , and )[ cOllld be any decade m the pasl 200 years

Jane's [amlly are woven mto the rabnc or lhe garden. \Vhen her chlldren were small , she made a little patch ror lhem wllh planls named a[te r animals , Wilh roxgloves, bea r's breeches (Acanthus spinOSIIS) , hOllnd's lonlIe(Cynogl'SSlInt officinale) and Calmml (NfpCtCI catwia) being some of lhe menagerie. She says she did il W amuse lhe m while she gOl stllck inlO the borders. Roberl5 gl"'.lndmOlher

Gertrude was [rom Soulh A[nca , and It was she who mlroduced the collect1on or agapanthus lhat stlll glows blue m late summer m polS along the pas and terl"'.lces. An earher chatelame called DorOlhea Hellplanled an uncllStmguished hr tree , Abies ccphaloniCCl, al the encl o[ the long border 111 lhe miu-19lh cenlllry - now it's the la rgest specimen of a Greek [ir in England

There a mocent add1l1Ons as well. Slip 3way [rom lhe [o rmaliLy o[ lhe main garden 311d lhere is a shady meadow neXl lO the river, ..

ABOVETheinrmal gravel path framed by wooden pergolas creates a seamingly endless vista through the rose garden. The rose in the foground is the damask tvpe 'La Ville de Bruxelles'. BELOW LEFT Leucanthemum vulgare (.eye daisyl grows by the stam adjacent to fields. BELOW RIGHT W

its gnarled old roots emerging from the ground, the atmospheric stumpery has a surreal quality that adds an extra dimension to the gardens.

ancl for a whole momh from late May, this area is lu minous with hundreds of exo

GLORIOUS GARDENS CUM BRIA

The notebook Oalemain gardens cover approximately f ive acres and are surrounded by a larger esta te , includ ing a farm a nd deer park. Predominant ly s o u th facing, t h e garden rare ly suffers f ro m drought d ue t he high rain fall in Cumb ria

PRETIY PO PPIES Attractive self-seeders such as the op poppy.

Papa'er somniferum (bo. look almost ethereal in the summer light. The seedheads dry and last in the borders well int the w inter. Birds such as goldfinches also feed on the seeds

CONTACTS

SHADE BABIES Foxgloves (abo'el look

paicularly striking in the shade of trees, are easy to grow and flower for a long time. They' lI also happily self-seed. In early spring. you can thin out young seedlings and plant them in the best spots for optimum effect

RECO MMEN DED GARD ENS AND N U RS ERIES IN CUMBRIA Cath's Garden Plants An award-winning family-run nursery specialising in unusual perennials, shrubs, grasses, ferns, herbs and climbers. The Walled Garden, Heaves Hotel. Heaves, Nr Levers LA8 8EF. Tel: +44 (0)1539 561126 www.cathsgardenplants.co.uk Copt Howe A two-acre plantsman's garden with spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes. Chapel Stile, Great Langdale, Ambleside LA22 JR. See www.ngs.org.uk for open days and further details Halecat Nursery Opened in 2011 and run by two young plant enthusiasts, this nursery has an interesting and eclectic list. Halecat, Witherslack, Grange Over Sands, Cumbria LA 11 6RT. Tel: +44 (011539 552946. www.halecatplants.cok

CUTIING IT By dead-heading regularly, head gardener Rose Harper ensures that roses keep flowering as long as possible

(belo Many old roses w ill have a scond flush Iin the season after their initial early summer flowering.

TRUE B L U E Blue and purple plants such as Meconops 'Dalemain'

(abo'e letfl, De.'hinium Black Knight Group (aboe right}, Salvia otficinal 'Ppuras:ens' Tradesntia Andersoniana Group and nepeta look great in northern gardens where skies are often grey. They keep their intense colours and appear to glow in the low light

JANE'S TOP ROSE GARDEN TIPS Plant barert stock roses in November. They might look like dead twigs, but they establish quicker and bloom better. Order them online from reputable suppliers Prune back climbers such as R. X odorata 'Pallida' (a.k.a. 'Old Blush China') and 'Madame Alfred Carrire' after the first flush and t hey'lI produce a second flowering later in the season Underplant shrub roses with perennials such as lime-green Euphorbia characias, delicate white violet Viola cornuta Aiba Group or silver-Ieaved plants such as Anemisia ludoviciana. In spring, add as much organic maer as you can, either well-(otted horse manure or compost. to feed the plants, protect from weeds and keep moisture in the soil. Remember to deadhead. Old roses have a reputation for being fleeting, but regular deadheading w ill help prolong flowering.

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 51

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Look no further for inspiration and practical ideas for your autumn and winter kitchen garden than the second The Edible G'den. Order now - you'lllove it!

Ifyou eoyed the st issue of te Edible Garden, you will find yet more dehcious features in e next buullycrafted guide. We bring you amazing photographyertwriters and tasty and decorative ideas for your productive plot. Be seduced by our selection of kitchen gardens and make the most of your'Ops with storage advice. A guide you'll keep for y inside you w find : 4 glorous kitcben gardens Storage advice from River

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Bym IyThe gree10Us are t to burst Wlth lush bananas. and the tomatoes are touching 1e roof. The polytunnel has been deared and has become a plant-producing machi.and e stock beds are 110weting. We are pretmuch ready lO Sla rl trading . The p roblem is lhal ()u r I()calion in the walled garden ()f Powde rha01 Castle in

Dev()ndoesnl allow us lO sell diClle publiand our online O1ail-order website WOI bready unlil autumn BUl planlS a dynamiand Lheir shelf-Ii[e in S01all pOlS laSlS only so long 'e need lO go tO markel. and faSl

PART 3 NEW SERIES - TOBY'S NURSERY

grew ClIt 110wers for Covem Garden Markel - once worked. The letters are in copper-plate. harking back to the days befo homogenous computer-genel".m:d foms Ed gets whal we're after al once, hand-draws evetletler and, inspired by something old. creates somelhing new but reassuringly old-fashioned. We love Il

COO1pulers have Il 5 lhough. We whizz off logo lO a signwriler we nd on lhe imernel, and a week laler we have il prinled on apro. Our sleel ~19n and lhe

frame\ork of an old Pashley biyde lhal Lisa rescued [ro01 a 10l ge yard. We plan lO take lhe b ike wh us lO shows and use lhe baker baskel on lh fronllO

show 0[[ our Oowers

PREVlOUS PAGE The now famous Pashley bike. OPPOSITE PAGE. CLOCKW1SE FROM TOP LEFT Bananas grown on the nursery; Toby packages up bareroot perennials; the stock beds in full bloom; propagating stock. ABOVE tFTToby keeps on top of the weeding. TOP RIGHT Usa and Toby love their new 1090. ABOVE RIGHT InJune J'm invited

lO o pen lhe ArlS and Crafts Garden Festival at COOO1be Trenchal

People stop to tke pictU1'es Qf the ,flowers iU.gfrom the icker bsket

The weekend o f lhe Coombe Trenc hard

Though evene issbu. plan must II be

in vVest Devon festival . and asked if we want to set up stall for lhe weekend too. It would give us a chance to spread the vord about the nursery. get fedback from gardeners and sell me stock. It wi 11 alfo(.'Us our minds on getting the fundamentals sorted - the logo. signage. vehicles. plant labelling. public liability insurance, caniel bags. .. and evely thing else we havel yet thought of.

The logo is uicky - where do you start? Fortunately. ou r webte designer Ed is vely talented . we hand ovel the job to him. along th an old tourist guide belonging to my uncle. Among e ochre-tinged pa~s is an adven [rom the 1890s for a nursely where my grandfuther - wh

Festival arrives. and watered and cared for Lisa and I 'e buzzing chatting to gardeners all day and helping them th their garden queries. Setting up and selling is the fun part - the hard bit is getting everthing there in a trailer and a beaten-up old Toyota Hilux. It's a bit like moving house \\thout the help of a removal van. Carefully packing erything in so it ani ves in one piee knowing how much to ta ke and not forgetti ng a ll the little things you need. such as secateurs. watering calmoney belt and change. waterpl (and suntan cream) and a very large thermos of cof!le Pashley bike agreat Sl\Ccess. as people keep stopping to take picmres of all

TOP LEFT German gaic.A l1ium senescens. ABOVE

LEFTysimachia ciliota 'Firecracker'. ABOVE

RIGHT Toby plants Verbena bonariensis to

encourage aphid-eating hoverflies in to protect

nursery stock fro ... aphids.

58 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

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60 THE ENG lISH GARDEN

|N CONVERSAION WITH... TOM S TUART-SMITH

history with Working Tom Stuart-Smith has brought new life to many of our more mature and histOli cal gardens_ Andrew Duff from le Inchbald School of Design asks how he goes about it in a sensitive way

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 61

it spoils what was there? Sometimes, on a large si

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The Iceman cometh Mid-November sees temperatures plurmet and the first snow fall - for Susie and David, it's a case of all

hands on deck to ensure e garden survives such une}ected conditions, and prepare for more to come .. PHOTOGRAPHS TOM WHITE WORDS SUSIE W HITE

ABOVE The yew domes and the faint outline of the path give structure to the winter garden. BELOW LEFT A faint mist in the valley burns up in the slanting sun, creating a painterly silhouette of the three hawthorns on the haugh. BELOW RIGHT Hakonechloa macra and a frosty line 01 sedums.

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 63

A GARDEN REBORN NORTHUMBERLAND

ABOVE LEFT A wint 'hat' for Bdge Eal. ABOVE RIGHT 'When icicles hang by the wall'. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT A little oasis in the snowy garden; over a foot of snow covers the garden furniture; hazel hurdles a picked out in snow patterns; Ammi mus stems shine in e sun.

J ;."l' t',- 1:,-03 1 A l l t: ll ? /Trrh .]. jJ o~la Jj,'d 4 8ur k 7'''rr4{'1. ,," d .'1 ,. ,1 Ij Frll "' 7 " "r orp 7 O"k '' 11 1' Ut' Jt

64 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

N ldwet day, a day when the valley i s seen through a fiher of b lurred grey and the light goes quickly, by four o'clock

There is such heavy ram in the night that the burn sounds like a rrtillracc, fonning a brown chute thaL pounds unde r the footbridge. The work LhaL we d id in $umme r has paid off -building up Lhe embankmenL Wilh SLone and felling a Lree LhaL narrowed Lhe charmel - and Lhe waler gush es away unimpeded tO meeL Lhe main river. How can Lhe migraling salmon $utvive $uch mpeSluoUS curren And whal happens to their eggs when the water can move whole boulders dO\Vllstream?

We both feel very sluggish when it comes to gardening, and work vithout much enthusiasm or energy doingwhat we can \vithout walking on the satu rated soil. 1 plant the gloriously fat bulbs of Madonna lilies in the bed by the summerhouse, imagining thei r \Vhite trumpets against the pebble grey paint\Vork O thers 1 put in the nal1"OW bed by the telTace wall sthat \Ve can see them when sitting out here in summer , 1 link that they \VilI be 50 much taller than ollr cat Jack that this is safe; many people don't realise that lily pollen is p oisonolls to ca'

A GARDEN REBORN NORTHUMBERLAND

,

_..:'!~ ..

--

'MWK

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THE ENGlISH GAROEN 65

A GARDEN REBORN NORTHUMBERLAND

v '..... ./

.

ABOVE lEFT Susie uses a broom to carefully brush a foot of snow from the yew topiary - though she leaves some on, as the snow helps to insulate them against the hard fross. ABOVE RIGHT Susie is graI for a fulllog store to help keep them warm during the unforeseen early cold spell.

fhenever 1 have ies in the hous 1 ke Otlt the smens in case he bmshes against them and then licks his [Ul'

500n the weather ntms more tranquil , and we wake to lovely autumn momings. A [aim mist in the valley bums up in the slanting sun, c realing a painterly silhouetle o[ the three hawlhon1S on lhe haugh. Wilh calmer days, we have [rOSlS , SO 1 fieece lhe large agaves lhat 1 have in le rracOlla pOlS by lhe

seedlings next year , bllt its [rosted beallty surprises and delights me. 1 have decidedcut down perennials in the shady border, because this is where the early bulbs .vill emerge, but 1 have Ie[t plan ts standing elsewhere as all-imporm cover [01'vildli[e

II is now lale November, and we wake up lO snow. Each day il [alls silently overnigh l , building up inch upon inch , unlil everyLhing is

small leaves in summer. 1 have my fingers crossed that next spring will see it happily settled in, so [01' now 1 must make sure that it's not damaged by snow

Thepiary also needs to be kept [ree 01 weight , so 1 brush the yew domes care[ully. ThiS l ime laSL year, there was nOLhing in lhe ga rden a l all . but now the s ix yew shapes anchor the design , giving il a solidily and

pennanence thal is so calming In lhe borde rs lhe snow-house walL 5maller specimens of

th iS dramalic. spiky plant are tucked up tO bed under a 'tent', alo ng Wilh back-u p pOtS o f

The garden is transfonned, its beauty so unexpected this ear in\\ter

covered shapes of herbage hav a w ild , winle r exuberane 1 clear palches to expose leaves

rosemary. flat pans containing echeverias . sh rubby penSlemons and othe l borderIine plants. Here too T have my trays of tarragon (on Iy the French valiety is worth growing) and this fvOl\lite herb 1 cut doand covel th compost. T just need to keep them a ll going un ti l next year , when OUI greenhouse anives.

These momings of frost look sparkling and pretty, the Flower Garden backli t in the early lt. Ctystals outline the th V1stmg stems and 110wer heads of Ammi majltS; what a wonderllll plant this for winter skeletons and surprisingly wind-resistant for an annuaL By leaving t standing, 1 was hoping for sell~sown

66 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

covered in pSline whiLeness: bles hairs Is wheelban'ows, trees, arches and dlpmg plants . The ga rden is transforrned , its beauty so unexpected this early in winter. There are some 'onderful moments - white snow on the cream of honesty pods, speckled do

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70 TH E ENG lISH GARDEN

IN HARVEST A surplus of pears Is a wonderful thlng and It

is important to store them well. These tradlonal frul storage racks are perfect for e job. Great for apples, pears and any other

fruit and veg. The fruit sits on the slatted drawers that allow free circulalion of air which helps keep the fruit fresh. Remove any spoilt

frItfror Ihe rack 10 ensure Ihe ,'est do not rot. Best kept in a well venlilated shed, garage.

ulding pantry or smilar, somewhere cool and dark is ideal. Racks available in 5 and 10 drawer, already assembled In plne. beech or

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72 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

TOP LEFT Pear 'Glou Morceau'. A freestanding example of a linked

espalier, creating a hedge or fenced effect in front of e orchard house

in the walled organic gardens at t Audley End. BELOW LEFT

Harvested culinary pe 'VirofWlnkfleld', whlch can be pcked

from October through to Oecember and wll also keep for a good whlle

prlor to use. RIGHT Jacky serves up slices of pear and almond tart

OPPOSITE PAGE Poached pears n wlne can be splced up with

cloves and cinnamon. Serve warmwithstard or cold with

a dollop of crme frache.

Pears 1leer desselt, heritage or cmy varieties,

ese home-gro\l'.'l1 fruits have so much more to offeran commercial supenarket rpes

PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETI WORDS JACKY HQBBS

A hY hdymyb nd deliciou$ pea1"s in our Novelher [ealu rl.bUl Wh n 1 planning and ible garden . it iS essenlial tO maintain a monlh ly 110w of taSly produe . While you may be pluckin g tender , rosy-cheeked desse rt p ears from

midsummer o nwards. more ponly, SubSl311lial va rielies soldier onsometimes until December. These are the fo rgotten stalwarts of the winter fruit larder, largely helitage culinal)' prs rarely available from supermarkets. A de lectable secret for the edible gardener, they cook a nd sto re we ll , unlike desse rt pears , which last a matter 0 1' days.

In Sh01t, pem's are lik socks - \eyalwaysed come in pairs

Deember surpluses can also be decadently gilded th edible gold or silver leaf for gifts , sasonal decorations or centrep ieces

Pears are less common in the garden than a pples. bllt have similar growth habi. are simpler to prune. relatively free from pests and disease as well as being more vigorous - though they do prefer a warmer drier spot in slightly acidic free-d raining soil. Some varieties do well in pots. Those grafted on smaller 'Quince C rootstock are best. bllt they need to be pnmed

THE EDIBLE GARDEN COOK YOUR OWN

THE EDIBLE GARDEN COOK YOUR OWN

Expert Advice TRAINING PEARS WITH MIKE THURLOW, AUDLEY END'S HEAD GARDENER Cordon , fan or espalier t raining is decorative, ideal for snall spaces and extremely productive, as horizonta l stems afford higher yields. I've used a horizontal espalier as an exanple: Buy a one-yeaId untrained,

bareroot maiden pear in Nov-March Plant centrally to selected pre-wired framework (horizontally arranged 25-30cm apart). Keep the graft clear of

overzealous growth. Re-pOL annually - Lheyn stay in Lhsame pOL, but use fresh compOSL AL Audley End O rganic K itchen Garden in Essex, Lhe eXlended warmth of Lhe orchard house benentS pots of lalcr-maluring, partiularly Contine11lal , fruits

Failure Lo fruil iS always a disappointment, and frOSl is u5ually Lhe culpriL, so prOLet by plaming in a frOSl-free posilion , cosseling wall-grown crops vith bJanket o f fleece if frost threatens, and move pots indoors. Pear bJossom is ephemeral and early, appeali ng in March and April , so don't get caught out.

the ground. Leave 3.5-4.5m between ABOVE Mike Thurlow, head

Few pears are self-feltile. Dessert pears Conference 'Concorde' and I nvincibJe' are exceptions, consequentJy popular in smalJ 0 1' urban gardens. Family trees, with suitable polJination partners grafted onto a singJe root stock, present another 'compact' solution . Otherwise, plant addi tional pear trees from the same pollination group as yours (buy ba1'e1'oot stock f1'om 1'eputable fnlt specialist nurseries and

Recine 1 Poacbed pears (pictured 011 pg 73) Serves 3 people - 3 l irm pears - 300ml white or ros wine - 50g sugar - Squeeze 01 lemon juice - Optional cinnamon sticks. cloves

Peel pea. leaving stalks. Rub in lemon juice Place in a tall pan so they can stand upright. and add wine. sugar and spices Top up with water until it reaches the pears' necks. and gently simmer until they are tender Remove pears and reserve. Reduce remaining liquid. pour over pears. and serve with cstard.

THE EDIBLE GARDEN COOK YOUR OWN

Recipe 2 Pear-and walnut winter salad with goats chese Serves 4 people - 1-2 l irm pears

- 100gwalnts - 1 bunch 01 w ild rocket - Seasonal salad leaves (radicchio. chicory etc) - 150g soft goats cheese

Place washed and spin-dried salad leaves in a serving dish. Thinly slice pears lengthways. discarding the core. and arrange. Sprinkle with handfuls 01 walnuts and decorate w ith slices of goats cheese. Dress w ith olive oil and lemon juice. and season to taste.

Recipe 3 Pear-and almond tart This is an adaptatlon of NIgella lawson's Bakewell Tart wlth fresh raspberries - It is the best sweet pastry 1 have ever made.

For the base: - 175g plain flour

- 30ggrundalmonds- 65g icing sugar - 130g butter -1 egg yolk Mix together e dry ingredients belore making a line crumb mix with the butter Add the egg yolk to bind until it makes a ball 01 pastry. Wrap w ith cling l ilm and relrigerate lor 20 minutes RolI out and line a 100SEbase Ilan tin. Pop it back into the Iridge while you make the lilling

For the filling: - 3 tablespoons raspberry or damson jam - 3 eggs - 125g ground almonds - 125g melted buner - 125g caster sugar - 15g flaked almonds - 2-3 pears. peeled and quartered Beat together the sugar and eggs. Stir in the melted butter and the ground almonds. Spread the base of the I lan with jam and pour in filling. Arrange the quaered pears and decorate w ith a tiny central pear if you have one. Sprinkle with chopped almonds and place in a prehea ted oven. 200. for 3Q-40 minutes.ilgolden. Serve warm or chilled.

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 75

S KSlyhmg Ehzabelhan manor m 35 acres of velvely grasslands,

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GREECE - PELOPONNESE

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SWITZERLAND - WENGEN

PLANT FOCUS BERBERIS

PREVlOUS PAGE Berberis 'Grgei' offe Sntedf1owers. THIS PAGE, ABOVE FROM LEFT Berberis kawakamii has vicious thons; Berberis zabeliania is not so thornv; the purple fruit of Berberis beaniana. OPPOSEPAGE, CLOCKWlSE FROM TOP LEFT B. thunbergii; B. gyalaica; B. thunbergii 'Golden Ring'

80 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

Reliable nd undemnding these distinctive thonysh'tubs elso t'tUe mu1ti-season prmers

F w pl u ih bi bb n Reliab le and undemand ing. these disunctive thorny shrubs are also true multi-season perfoners as anyone lucky enough to have been dazzled by the rare Berberis Georgei can vouch . lts arching branches hang wiLh pendantS of pale yellow scentd flowers in spring, only for the tO be utterly outshone by long, abundant clusters of brighl crimson berries later in autumn. Like other deciduous types, il also has warm autumn hues LO ilS leaves, but B Georgei' iS not unique. Berberis iS an (}u tslanding g roup of evergreen and deiduous shntbs, which all comribute handsomely tO the autumn and wimer garden sene

They are a huge genus , with more than 450 species in the wild . and almoSl as many hybrids and cultiva rs. They hail frOI11 every continent except two , and are natural pioneer species , often the fi rst to colonise an area. Remarkably unfussy about where they grow , they will thrive in most soils and are some of the most obliging, versatile plants in the garden. They are both evergreen and deciduous th the colour o f the berries they produce gene rally dependent on which one they are -vergreen species \Vi ll usua lly have b lue-black fru it, while deciduous berries are l11ainly red. And all the berries. wha tever the colour. are imponant food sources [or birds such as wimer thmshes. redwing and fieldfare, making them valuable wildlife plams. Denser species also prode useful nesting and roosting places

for small bi rds such as robins and finc hes , and evergreen types offer excellem win ter pro tection The shrub 's leaves are also the larval food of many butterfly and moth caterpillars

The mos t w ell-kn own berberis has tO be the compact Berberis chunbel favourite of local authorites everywhere and loved fo r its brill iant autumn OIOU l and bright sarlel berries. It has many charming cult iva rs. from lhe pu rple Berberis chunbergii f acropurpU l'ea tO lhe subtle B. chunbergii Golden

Ring' whose pu rple-rI leaves appear LO have been painstakingly edged vilh gold pen. BUl if these a re lhe only berberiS you know , you may be surpriSed by what the olhers have up their sleeves.

There is a berbe ris for almost every spot in the garden. At one end of lhe sale is lhe tall . rathe r ungainly B. chitlia (tricky to get ho ld of but growing happi ly at the $ir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshi re), which at 5m high and 7m wide is good for only the largest ga rdens. but magnicen when clothed in its candy-pin k berries and seed capsules. Do1 the othel end is the e lfi n B. x stenophy lla 'Corallina Compacta'. No more than 50cm high , it is perfect in a con tainer 0 1' as a low , inforrnal hedge.

Most berberis , however. are medium-sized , often gorous shmbs , and the perfect plams for a dilTicult SpOl. Be aware of their

PLANT FOCUS BERBERI5

BERBERIS CARE . Beeri5 re tough, happily pting upwith stuatns and con

PLANT FOCUS BERBERIS

STOCKISTS Burncoose Nurseries, Gwenn Redruth. Cornwall TR16 6BJ. Tel: +44 (0)1209860316. www.burncoose.co.uk Holdenugh Nuery Holden. Bollon-by-Bowland, Clilheroe, Lancashire BB7 4PE. Tel: +44 (0)1200447615. www.holdencloughnursery.co.uk The Place For Plants, Easl Bergholt Place, Suffolk C07 6UP Tel: +44 (0)1206 299224 NW.placeforplanIS.CO.uk

one ofthe eonswhy berbve such bundnt berries is dow quir'ky ttick ey pe1n enSUt'epoUtion

ABOVE Betberis chitria is very djfficult to buy - ideal for larger gardens as it will grow to 5m x 7m. ABOVE RIGHT Betberis soulieana has berries that are alstgrape IIke - don't eat them though. B are easy tgrow and cope well with exposed sites

82 THE ENGLlSH GA RDEN

who has p runed one and e ncounLered Lhei r viciouS spikes will know. One look aL Lhe terrifying Lhorns o n a species $uch as B. zabclillllll is enough to consign the secaleurs LO a d rawer for good

Evergreen varietieS bring olour and form LO the 11ler garden at a time when iL needs iL the moSt, with Berberis d willii one of the most va lued. Its dense , Uptight habit and dark autumn benies, set against its b right prickly leaves, make it a n asset to the spine o f a mixed borde r , but it also makes a n e ffective , impenetrable hedge. B. kawakamii has a similar habit , with larger , ho lly-like leaves, pretty pink fruit and b rutal thorns that would surely deter any would-be intruder. The leaves o f the deciduous berbet 111contrast, play a strong role in au tumn , mming deep , g lowing shades before they fal l , the colours o ften beautifully highlighting their berries

B. thunbergi cultivars all colour vivid ly , as does B. dictyoph)' its red benies shining among yellow and red leaves. Some berberis however, are grown simply for their fan

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Evebody loves Alstroemeria as they give copious exotic looking blossoms ~-.~_--------------------------------------- - ----------------------------;;; ; ; Name from June to November that last for up to 14 days in a vase! These varieties : have been specially selected as they are difficult to find and if you do : Add'ess.... manage to find then they are often quite expensive. Great for cutting and happy in borders and conta iners. Dead head by pulling the flower's stems gently from the bottom of the plant, the resulting 'wound' then initiates new flowers. Prefers well drained soil in a partly shaded sheltered site. Height and spread 60 .90cm (24. 36").

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PLANTS ARBORETUMS

iVinkworthHascombe Road, Godalming, Surrey

G8 4AD. Tel: +44 (0)1483 208477. www. nationaltrust.org.uk

BEST FOR: OOg walkers and stunnlng vlews

For a change of scenery on your next outing with your pooch. take a trip to the hillside location of linkworthArboretum in Surrey. This hot.spot was established in the 20th century by Or Will rid Fox, who was passionately interested in the environment and plants, and is now packed with 1,000 diHerent shrubs and trees, many 01 w hich are (are. The azalea walk, w hich leads to the idylliC boathouse overlooking the beautilul lake, is a mass 01 colour at the end 01 April. In autumn, the lusion 01 colours Irom the Japanese, American and Norwegian maples IS well worth a look, and il vu have plenty 01 time to spare, take the circular walk across the wetlands . but don't 1rget t bring

vur waterproots, Children's trails are also available

Open 1 Jan.31 M dally, 10am-4pm; 1 Aprll.31 October, dally, 10am-5pm; 1 Nov.24 Dec, daily, 10am-4pm; and 26 Dec.31 Dec, daily, 10am-4pm.

88 THE ENGLlSH GARDEN

ze ea ofrbmt/ ?oretums goes back sfar s

the EmlPtinPhanohs 'who collected ex:otic trees on their

tr'lvels and c'edfo'dm.Across the UK, 'we have fbulous selection o} rbo1'esuch .s Wesnbirt nd visitu ill o.ffer JjOU the oppmtunitJj

enjoy some o.t 0111' most beut'ul tive trees long withnre unusu1 species t

usully found in this count1y' Sue Holden, chief executive

fTheWoodlands Trust

Thorp Perrow Bedale, Noh Yorkshire Dl8 2PR. Tel: +44 (0)1677 425323. www.thorpperrow.m

BEST FOR: Family walks, trails and birds

Thorp Perrow is a real lami ly aftair, and is set in the stunning Yorkshire Oales, not lar Irom the historic town 01 Bedale. The estate was bought by William Ropner in 1927 and created by his son Colonel Sir Leonard Ropn who planned and plan ted it, Lenard's son Sir John Ropner took over, and now owns and manages the estate, You may be surprised thear that none of the staft wrking at Thorp Perrow throughout this time had any previous arboricul tural experience, but their passion and hard work is reflected in the beauty 01 the site. The arboretum has plenty ot walks, trails and glades 10 explore, and is laid oul in sections A to Z. The Milbank Pinelum and Spring Wood will keep you on your toes until tea time. Thorp Perrow is currently home 10 f ive National Plant Collections including walnuts, ash, laburnum and conlinus, all ot which are held under the aspices of Plant Heritage. And il this wasn't enough, t here is a bird 01 prey and mammal centre w here you can meet the creatures and watch regular flying displays Irom eagles, falcons,

haNks. vultures and 0Nls fro livecontinents, as well as visit the Meerkat Island and Wallaby Wood

Open mid.February.Mid November, daily, 10am.5pm; Mid November.Mid February, daily, 11am.3pm.

The Arboretum Trust Castle Howard, York Y060 70A. Tel: +44 (0)1653 648650. www.kewatch.co.uk

BEST FOR: Furniture making and events

The Castle Howard Arboretum Trust makes a great day out with the arboretum and the woodland garden in Ray Wood to visit Planting originally began in 1975 with an idea Irom lord Howard and designer James Russell to bring together a collection 01 hardy woody plants in Europe. In 1997, the arboretum and woodland garden lormed a charitable trust between Castle Howard and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to protect the 1ture 01 these collections belore officially being opened in 1999 to

thepblic as part of Castle Howard's 300th

'Tre1'e much lik.e humn beings ul enjoy each other's compny. Only feu.llove be

lone.' Jens Jensen -SfUngs

anniversary. The current plant collection in the Ray Wood boasts rhododendrons, rare shrubs and trees. as well as members 01 the ericaceae lamily including vaccinium and gaultheria. The arboretum covers 127 acres 01 grassland doned with orchids, herbaceous perennials and exotic trees Irom around the temperate world. You'lI also lind a selection 01 trees that have been specially grown and haNested solely lor making lurniture. A new 20ne called Rotters Zone has recently been created by the Yorkshire Roners and local volunteers lor mposting and events, w hich are held all year.

Open every day from the start of March to the end of Novemb 10am.5.30pm.

National Memorial Aboretum Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire OE13 7AR. Tel : +44 (0)1283 792333. lWW.thenma.org.uk

BEST FOR: Remembrance

Visiting The Nationa l Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is so much more than just a walk in the woods yu' lI come away w ith a sense of realisa tion and full of natinalpride. The arbretum is a charity run by staand volunteers, part of the British Legion family, who have all worked hard to presen t a centre 01 remembrance t celebrate those who have given their lives or sullered in the seNice of their country. Plan ting began in 1997 with the help 01 grants Irom The National Lottery. The Forestry Commission and The National Forest . The rest 01 the money came I rom thousands 01 donations I rom a w ide variety 01 organisations. Today, the arboretum consists 01 150 acres 01 wooded parkland and plots w ith well over 50.000 trees with a story and meaning behind each one. For example, the Indn Army and Royal Indian Navy plots have trees native to the Himalayas and Southern As such as Himalayan birch, Kashmir rowan and Bhutan pine. There's also an avene 01 chestnut trees called The Beat. l unded by every pOlice l orce in the UK; w hile Dawn Redwoods can be l ound on the Ambulance Service plot. As many as 300,000 people visit each year. including service personnel, veterans, students, groups and individuals. They not only walk the trails but also anend some of the 200 events held here each year. Donations are welcome.

Open every day, 9am-5pm, except Christnas Oay.

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 89

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TestonbirtThe National Arboretum, Near TetbuGloucestershire GL8 8QS. Tel : +44 (0)1666 880220. www.forestry.gov.uk

BEST FOR: Volunteers and memberships

trunk or a low-hanging branch. A blue label indicates 'champion trees' , the tallest or the largest 01 their kind in Britain. Excitingly, there are 82 chanpions all 01 Mlich are worthy w inners. Westonbirt thrives

An autumn scene at Westonb,rt is truly on volunteers and aims to expand oppounitiesbreathtaking with its natural display 01 firework by developing the Westonbirt Project - a series colours lor visitors to admire. Managed by 01 phases t o create an exciting new welcome the Forestly CommiSSion, the arboretum is building and t ree walkway, as welJ as improve an historic Victorian landscape w'lh more than backstage lacilities and revive the historic

160 trees (30 different spec,mens) and landscape sitated in the centre 01 the shbs Irom Britain, Chi Noh Amer arbofetum which is currently used as a Japan, Chi and other temte climales, all park. Ynbeme a 'friend' by joining thelf

loving!y anted and cared lor. Slrolling along the exclusive rremberip scheme, from whch 17 miles 01 marked paths, you wil encounter mem::eive fantastic benelits and offers

tv man areas to explore The Old Artxtum througho the~r.andSillcWo 80th areas are rrple hot-spots, but you" 50 be lucky enoh to e labulous Open every day. 1 April-30 Nov, weekdays, beech trees and the cherry collect in Silk 9am-8pm; weekends 8am-8pm. 1 Oec-31 Mar, wEach tree has a label hanging Irom the weekdays, 9am-5pm; weekends, 8am-5pm.

90 THF ENGLlSH GAROEN

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ECO-WATCH

time Tree It's planting seaso so Anne Gatti looks at how our leafy garden f riends

help the environment and which ones attract the most w ildlife

hoverOies , and caterpil lars of the handsome gold-and-brown Barred 5allow moth. Field maples, which are native to England but not 5cotland or I rela can reach 15m, but there is also a dwarf variety ('Nanl1m') , which , like its big b ro the r , copes with d rought , soi l compaction and air polll1tion, bl1t has smaller leaves and only grows to a comely 5m. 50 , an all-rol1nd nn r for any size of garden

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PLANTS CUT FLOWERS

THE ENGlISH GAROEN 95

PLANTS CUT FLOWERS

PREVIOS PAGEJane llndsey's 1970$ Alrstream

ravan: 28ft long, itprovld Sp8 for

her embroldery st\Idio and 8 shop. BElOW,

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Aldeticlcstfrom

ees further 810ng the va"ey provlde a ruk

support for sweet p8aS - 8 flow8r with a Iong growlng

58an In many pasofSotland. Wlde square

netting Is used to SUppthe plants 8S they grow;

J8ne and her d8ughter Katie Glentalictmfron the garden; 8 Sussex-

crOS5 ockerel rules the ro05t; whlte EchlnIJC81J

'White Swan' and purple EchinactJIJ purpura/J.

MYPPldm fg p lh Jobs lO grow flowers bUl Cew aClually go on LO make II happen. One who has is Jane Undsy who moved Crom

scland large5l CJly lO a smallholdmg m a brealhlakmgly beauLiCul SPOl, on lhe edge oC lhe l.och lomond and The Trossachs National Park. lO Slan Ihe Snapdragon Cutling Garden. '1 drmed of moving lO lhe country, growing cut flowers and se\~ing lhings. and 111 2003 we did just that: laughs Jane, a former curator of British Art at the University of Glasgow.

Previously the mother-of-two had tried out her ideas on a piece of land belonging to a friend , selling her flowers out the side of he r green Citroen H van at Carmers' markets. It was also is time that she came up \vith the name for her enterp rise. '1 had a tenible slug problem , and the only thing they d idn't eat were the snapd ragons , which also make great ClIt flowers.'

Today. the Snapdragon garden is a patchwork oC muln-coloured blooms - very different tO the dock-ndden paddock at once occllpied .e three-qllarters-of-an acre site. lts creation has not been withollt j

sweel peas alendula Salvia ncmo,osa and Lhe yellow llusLle C('nUl ca maCl(l(cphala. 'Anylhmg lhal lS a waler meadow planl really lhnves he. My favoumes indude thahCLrum, bronze fennel and Sllpa gigallua.'

Jane ongmalslob of planLS we peuuals she had gradually bUlll lIP al home over veral y Loger\Vilh some she obtall1ed from a nU l'Sely that \"'3S closing down. Ad\~ce was lhankfully also forthcoming at the beginning - nower supremo 53rah Ra\'en s generous with her time dunng Snapdragon's early days.

Crealing a garden may have been Jane's dream, bllt little did she rea1ise lhat il would also play :1 signicamrole in the success of anOlher ncw business , making embroidered tcxrilc accessones and homewares. Flowers and the family's bcloved 1970s VW c3mpervan prodemuch of thc insplration fo r lhe desgns , which Jane creates o n he r sC\VlI1g m3chine inside a 28[t- long AirsLream caravan, WhlCh also hOLlses a small shop.

Snapc1ragon's produClS have been so sucosful that Ecompany now prodcs cmplonent for no [ewer than tve people, along \VJth Fiona 111 the garden, and sells iLS range through mall order and 300 shops across eUK

The sewing began as someLhmg to fill in the momhs when thcre was nOlhmg growmg in the garden, bm II soon [Ook ovcr. Nowadays, an lmportant role of the

garden is mspinng the embro,dery - 1 u my machll1e hke a skelch pad , oflen 111raling new plams lhal 1 hav5n. WilhoUl e garden , lhmgs \Vould be lOO rormulaic and conlnved. 1 hke 10 renellhe hangll1g asons in my work.'

On lOp or her SCMng and cUlung garden bllsmessJane's ents as a nower aangcr are eagerly soughl by wedding couples, ahhough such bookmgs are Slnctly limiled 10 allow stocks of hcr nowers 10 recover, and to ensure mOSl weekends can be spem \Vllh daughlers Zoe, 14. and Katie, 11 , and her husband Euan.

Even though she is hundrcds of miles avay from many of her customcrs, ]ane uses hcr mlemet blog to share developmems in the Snapdragon ga rden. 'It's beamiful here and I'm increchbly lucky. 1 go OLlL early in the momings to take photos. J'rn aSlounded by the number of people who follow thc blog: glven lhe times that people )og on, I'm su many look at 1l whIle lhey're having > I 3.301'111 J'd 4 (OJ13110t0903. f 3Vl c.'I11(0'1>>

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T..... T isley is a garden Lhal o fTers - - . I inIIOlhdisrmlJnh F I gardenerally'E.AIou~

I I I am inISp1rd by lhe planoug.houlaIIIhseasons one of my fa'ourlle limes of lhe year IS Wtnler I am oflen shocked and surpnsed when people lell me Ihal they Ihlllk gardens are nOI worth siting al Ihis wonderflll tJme , as Ihere \\-;11 be nOlhing of Imeresl 10 see. How wrong Ihey are!

Whlle wJnler mighl nOI have the volume of floral dLSplays en in spli ng and .1mmer) 13tIt lacks in f10wer nllmbers it makes up for in cImn13 , quahty and scent.

The low bllt intense Sllnlight of the winler 1110mhs enhances the mcredible stem and bark colollrs of many trees and shrul and lhe sight of Ihese often SIOpS me in my tracks as I walk around the comer by the lakes on Seven Acres, amazed by the paletle of colours be[ore me.

In other parts o f lhe garden, 1 jUSl close my eyes and l1lhale the sweel scent o[ the sarcococca (wmter box), the Sp1C}' fragrance o[ lhe chimonanlhus or , my own personal favourtlc , Ihe CllnlS smell of lhe Mmamehs Ich hazel), a scent lMl always mindsmeof my mOlher makmg I113rmalade. 50 'lIpUpwarm and Jom me on a slroll around my

belodWLSley on a cnsp day lowards the end of Wlmer, when the lemrarure IS jUS1:amng10 nse (lf It'S 1 frosty and cold , there \VIll be no scenl from

II1LereSl. Al lhls ume of lhe year, lhe colour IInpaCl IS doubled by lhe mlrror effecl of lhe

reOion on lhe waler One of my per~onal favoumes IS COI nus

san,s:uinca 'Mldwtnler Fm~' Thls slunnmg culuv has bnghl orange and yeUowloudstems tipped \Vllh rcd DlIe lO lheir dramatic colollring, large clumps of lh produce lhe effecl of names nsmg from lhe ground.

AcloIy relaled culrivnr, lhough nOI 50 readily avai1ab is Comu ~angujI1f{1 'Anny's Winler Orange' , which has even moII1lenIy vivid red srems, Whcn p lanled c10se IOgerher, borh give Ihe impression o f a W1nrer fj re bllrning brighr1y agamsllhc ollthne of lhe lake.

There a al50 Olhcr grOllps of cornllS salixand rubLlS planted arollnd lhe lake for ntersrem interesl. Thcy a all planted in 1arge dIil'ts lO provide 11prcssivc displays of colour in a patchwork qLll1t effecl. lf lhese wcre to be planted smgly, the cffeCl \Vould be messy and muddled Wilh 110 now. In small gardens. 1 would always recommend planung m groupf three as a mmllnum Al Wlsley. we use

m SC/lcca 'Budd's Yellow' lO bnng a bght greeny yellow mlO lhe colour scheme. and CoIllUS aJba 'Alleman's Com1' wlule bell1g a compacl grower, bnngs a bnght umform cardmal red mto the dlsp1ay,

The use of members of the ornamental rubus famlly bnngs another contrast of colour, shape and textllre tO lhe landscap Rubusccxkbur nllmus LS one of lhe most spectaclIlar,

TOP FIVE WINTER PLANTS Hamamelis x internedia 'Palhda'

. c.n sangujnea 'Midwinter Fire' Sarcococca hkeriana var digyt

.A( 'White Tigress' HeUeoo'UsWalberton's Roserrry

hpuIelred arching ste15 lhal are covelin a white bloom , a nd b rings a ghostly

luminoty to the garden. One of the fonsro be found arOllnd the lake, and anorher personal vOllrire is Rubus ccxkbul1l(lnuS 'Goldcnvalc' , which has lhe added bonlls 0 1' lovely golden ferny fo1iage in summe r. 1t is also mllch i5 mvve than the true species so IS bellcr sllired to small gardens. In texlllral COl1 trasl lO

'Goldenvale yotlw lnd Rubll~ phocnicolIUS which is q ll i

CLOCKWlSE FROM TOP LEFT Tili platyphyllos 'Aurea'; Cornus lba 'Alleman's Compact' offers

the deepest colour stems; Cornu5 amomum; Slix dphnoides; Cornus alba 'Ruby'; Cornus

sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire; e brown stems of Rubusniv15 and Comu5 sericel!l 'Red Coral'

at spartdes. OPPOSITE PAGE A wonderful display of winter stems around the lake, which

n be enjoyed from e Chinese Pagoda

VlSfT WlSL.EY: Open eve dayexptChtma5Day. Monday to Friday: l08m-6pm; Saturday,

Sunday and Bank Holidays: 9am-6pm RHS Garden WislWoking, Surrey GU23 6OB.

RHS members enter for free. Adults [10.90; childten E3.90. Group rat. are a 8vallable.For more information, go to www.rhs.org.uk

Al Wi$ley we have lu01p$ of sarcococca lhroughoullhe garden. All around the areas of planling lhe ai r iS $weeLly emed and lhe scent 1$ plked up long before reaching lhe plaJ1lS Confused viSitOr$ can oflen be seen looking around tO see where lhe $cem is fro01. They never think to Jook at this small everglen.

If I were to pick one group of shrubs fO I 110.venng nter interest, it wouJd probabJy have to be hamamel the witch hazeJs. The spider-Jike Oowers are mostJy yello althoughthere are orange- and red-flowered fonns, and are produced from December through to the end of Feblual. 1 prefer the yello\V-l1o\Vered fo rms , as they stand om

plamed aboul 5001 ap3rt, so lhal as you walk lhrough woodland. one planl leads you on lO anOlhe r. The firSI lO Ilower is al\Vays Hamamel iS x ilJlencclia Orange Pee\' in mid-December, followi by a procession of yello\Vs. oranges ancl reds right through tO February

At this point. a fe\V words of advice: always plant .vinter-Iloweling ShlUbs , and especially scented ones, at the edge of a bed close to a path. Otherwi. you might lnd peopJe waJking across the beds, drawn by the beauty and the scent of the 1l0\Vers. 1\t Wisl there are often well-wom tracks through the be and a few squashed pJants , as visito rs can't resist the

PLANTS W INTER INTEREST

lherefore lhough l lO require shelter ; and secondly, beinglose lO a door allowed Sllor$lO smell lhe 00vers

MOSI ga rde ners no r01ally assoiate rhododendrons with mass spring displays of Lheatrical colour. However, there a a few thal flowe r during winter, bringing splashes of bra shocking and ll1uch-needed colour to the garden. A fvoulite rhododendron 1 enjoy each year is RhododenclrOIl dattricttm Mid-winter', which produces purpJe flowe rs on almost leaf1ess stems. ltsa 11all shrub that .i llth live in acidic soils , and prefers a more open situation where you can appreciate the purpJe

flowers during .vmterbetter in the landscape in the dark winter months and brighten up the garden inuneasurab

Mywlk is st being led by my sense 01 smeU, tcking down the 5weet and sp,y scent 01 the wter-;weet

Undemeth many of the shnlbs and trees ,

On sale

BOOKS

leaves Libra7Snuggle up with one of these love l tomes and then imagine next season's plot and produce, inspired by what's between the covers

The fmnt cov'ys it ll d Teassures us that ough ewordbge' the title, she isn't 'ely onb.utifuJly1

Books for planning next year's garden Ylu

Wll8L1FE 8tH"

COLOUR IN THE GARDEN WATERWISE PLANTS for YOUR WILDLlFE GARDEN (Merrell, f18.95) FOLlAGE PLANTS SUSTAINABLE GARDENS (David & Charles, f12.99) Val Bourne tackles the sbject that (Fra LinIn f12.99) (TImber Press, f16.99) Our emine knowledgeable occupies most gardener5 when The late great Christopher lIoyd's Bags of plant choices, compaon former editor-at-Iarge Jackie planning a border. Texture and book has been reissued with a planting picks and interesting ideas Bennett reissues her wildlife shape may be the predominant new introduction by his head for droght-hi t spotsnd the garden advice book, with tasks, fashion at the moment, but she gardener at Great Dixter, Fergus sustainably minded from the plants and practical projects for encourages and advises on vibrant Garrett. If you haven't read it yet, American couple that brought every month to help encourage and plantings for different situations. now's your chance you Plant-Ori'en Oesign. nuture all the little creatures

6siasm is c he has sthis book with '1Jhat ~er teU you' i:'ludingwhat life really is like for a nUTSeryman'

HOWTO GARDENING - ALL YOU NEEDTO KNOW (Right Way, f5.99) Expert gardener and writer Richard Rosenfeld's useful guide is aimed particu larly at beginners but also ers advice that even the more experienced gardener could try. It provides all the basics in an infomative and entertaining way. w ith know-how tips on keeping your soil in perfect shape, planting your trees correctly, structural basics. climbers and shrubs, containers, rotating crops for the kitchen garden, creating a Ilower border and wildlil e gardening - there's even a section on gardening on the cheap, suggestlng Ist the essential tools you need. Richard's energy and enthusiasm is captured throughout and even engages the reader further by including mini-quizzes, interesting facts about slugs and snails as well as explaining how to make pot-pourri for yorhome

EXPERT ADVICE THE ART OF

CRATIVE PRUNING (Timber Press, f25) 1 first heard 01 Jake Hobson several years ago, when admiring a couple 01 cloud-pruned box in the front garden of Rosemary Alexander. principal 01 The English Gardening School. Though not usually a lan 01 topiary, something about these little poodle-like trees 5et 011 a spark in me, and 1 have been lascinated sing your own Ilowers. My only by this a 01 control ever since criticism is there are very lew Those two beauties were clipped drawings, making this quite a by Jake himsetf. and 1 was late to heavy read; 1 can't help but leel a the pay as it seems most knowing little disappointed by the lack 01 gardeners are aware of his statu